Tag: alpine

Mount Robert to Angelus hut - The Robert Ridge Route

I started today thinking I would do a quick jaunt up Mount Robert in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Nothing too strenuous, just a quick up and down. As it turned out it was such a glorious day that I just carried on walking, with a bit of running thrown in. It ended up being the most incredible return to Angelus hut along the Robert Ridge route, which took around 6 hours in total .

Nelson Lakes National Park - Parachute Rocks

The Nelson Lakes National Park is approximately 1.5 hours drive South of Nelson. This magical area boasts a couple of beautiful glacial lakes - Rotoroa and Rotoiti, which are surrounded by mountains. These mountains form the beginnings of the magnificent Southern Alps which stretch most of the way down the South Island. The small town of St Arnaud is the hub of the area with some accommodation and a small shop and garage.

Mount Arthur - Kahurangi National Park

This hike comes with a warning!! Before you attempt Mount Arthur, make sure your car is in good shape :-)

Mount Arthur, in the Kahurangi National Park stands at 1975m, and forms part of the mountainous horizon you see as you look West from Nelson. The wider Tablelands area has some fascinating landscapes - karst rock slabs, huge rock outcrops, caves and sinkholes. These special ecosystems are quite rare, and are home to some threatened...

Isthmus Peak track

The 16Km (return) day hike up the Isthmus Peak Track rewards you with spectacular views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The climb takes you up to 1385m on a well formed, steep track to the peak, via a gorgeous skyline ridge.

The Isthmus Peak track is about a 30 minute drive North out of Wanaka, past Albert town and Hawea, on the SH6.

I stayed at the Kidds Bush reserve DoC campsite last night about 20 minutes drive away to the North. I overslept, so I didn't...

Ben Lomond Summit - Queenstown

If you've seen photos showcasing the splendour of Queenstown from above with the town itself, Lake Wakitipu and some impressive looking mountain ranges in the distance - chances are it was taken from Ben Lomond.

Ben Lomond is the big mountain directly behind Queenstown. The summit stands at a height of 1438m. It is usually accessed from town via the Tiki Trail, or by taking the gondola and walking the rest of the way - firstly to the saddle, then...

Sugarloaf, Rockburn and Lake Sylvan loop

This is a great little 15Km hike in Mount Aspiring National Park. It takes in the Sugarloaf Pass via the Sugarloaf track, then heads down the Rockburn track to the old Rockburn shelter site. Finally it picks up the Sylvan track around Lake Sylvan and back to the Sylvan DoC campsite. Apart from the initial 650m climb, it is a moderate (I didn't find it too easy nor difficult) loop trail, and I made it in a 7 hour day. DoC rate it as an...